REW Community Focus: Glenmore

About 15 minutes east of Charlottesville on Route 250 in Keswick is the beautiful, country club subdivision of Glenmore, a gated community that appeals to horse lovers, serious and weekend athletes, young families, singles, retirees and anyone else who enjoys natural beauty in a safe, friendly place close to town.

Among Glenmore’s many advantages is its proximity to a wide range of goods and services. The new Martha Jefferson Hospital at Pantops makes medical care accessible as are all of Charlottesville’s shopping and cultural activities. In addition, these east side residents can jump on Interstate 64 and visit both Lowes and Walmart at Zion Crossroads, or keep heading east and shop in Short Pump, avoiding the traffic on 29 North.

Glenmore also has much to offer right within the subdivision. Denise Ramey, with Roy Wheeler Realty Co. (and president-elect of the Charlottesville Area Association of REALTORS®), calls it a “little oasis,” because it is a warm and friendly community with beautiful scenery and activities to keep everyone busy without ever leaving home.

Glenmore’s Active Real Estate Market

Glenmore’s convenient location may be part of its popularity. Like other parts of our area it suffered in the recent real estate downturn. However things are definitely looking up. Tom Pace, with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate III, explained that in 2011 a total of 28 homes sold in Glenmore.

As of the end of May in 2012, 24 homes had already closed and nine more were under contract. Good news for Glenmore sellers.

It is also a great time to be a buyer looking for a home in Glenmore. Prices are still reasonable compared to when the market was hot and there are lots of options. Not only can you choose from resale homes, but two new sections of the subdivision offer lots for those who prefer to build a new home.

If a large home site with extra privacy appeals to you, consider The Preserve at Glenmore, which has lot sizes ranging from 5 to 21 acres. There is also a new section now open in Pendower Heights in Glenmore where Piedmont Realty and Construction will build your dream home on one of 43 choice home sites.

Why Glenmore?

Glenmore has many amenities in addition to its prime location.

Many residents feel safer there because it is a gated community. It’s not unusual, explained Pace, to find households where one spouse has a job requiring frequent travel, or who works very long hours. The safety of Glenmore appeals to both the traveler and the spouse at home with the family.

Ramey moved here from Florida where gated communities are common. As a single mom she liked Glenmore for many reasons, but one of them was the familiar sense of safety she associates with living in a community that has a gate and a security guard. She also described Glenmore as “very welcoming,” another feature that adds to a feeling of safety.

The front gate also keeps traffic to a minimum, perhaps part of the reason Pace said that many adults and children in Glenmore enjoy biking. It’s a lot easier to bike where there are fewer cars. It’s also safer for kids who want to bike to swimming, golf, tennis or horseback riding lessons, or to visit a friend. Pace said that a number of local children have qualified for golf and tennis scholarships for college thanks to easy access to lessons at Glenmore.

People who prefer to get around by foot or on horseback will find walking trails throughout the community, as well as many miles of trails for horseback riding.

Clubhouse Renovation

A big change at Glenmore this last year is the renovation of the Clubhouse. New owners have redecorated, added a lounge area and reconfigured the bar. Pace explained that it is “now more conducive to entertaining.” People gather for appetizers and beverages and enjoy the view from the sunroom, and, he said, “it’s not uncommon for people to go for drinks, pair up with friends and stay for dinner. The new clubhouse is great for socializing,” he added.

Community is the Big Draw

Ramey and Pace agree that Glenmore offers a special kind of community feeling with its nice combination of people of all ages. Retirees can choose a compact maintenance free dwelling, while estate sized homes are available to families who want them. “The school bus drives through the community every day, and this is popular with families with children,” Pace said.

Finally, regardless of who you are and what you enjoy, Ramey added, “Glenmore is a very welcoming place.”

Celeste Smucker is a writer, editor and author of Sold on Me, Daily Inspiration for Real Estate Agents, she lives near Charlottesville.

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